No Labels Calls for Bipartisan Seating at State of the Union in Ad in The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today more than a dozen members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined with No Labels to call for bipartisan seating at President Obama's State of the Union address on Jan. 24. Members of Congress voluntarily sat together at last year's State of the Union to honor Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ).

"When we sit together as Americans rather than as partisans we can begin sending the message that we are willing to stand up for the powerful principle of putting progress before partisanship," said Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

"There are many ways members of Congress can work to put partisanship aside. While sitting together seems like a small thing, it is a step we can take to show that there is more that unites us as Americans than divides us," said Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV).

No Labels will be publicly debuting this call to action with a full-page ad in The New York Times. Bipartisan seating at major addresses like the State of Union and during congressional committee hearings is just one of the dozen proposals featured in the No Labels Make Congress Work! action plan. No Labels is being joined in its call for bipartisan seating by Third Way and the Ripon Society and is asking for other organizations to support the effort.

"We are at our best as a nation when we recognize the opportunities to come together and do all the little things that promote a spirit of bipartisanship. This is an easy step that members can take to show solidarity during a time when our nation is facing so many challenges," said Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL). "Members just need to decide on their own to reach across the aisle, and I commend No Labels for calling on more members to do so."   

No Labels will track the results online at www.nolabels.org to evaluate whether last year's display of unity was an aberration or the sign of a growing bipartisan trend in Congress. The members of Congress who have signed on thus far to sit with members of the opposite party are:

• Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV)
• Senator Dean Heller (R-NV)
• Senator Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
• Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
• Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE)
• Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL)
• Representative Howard Coble (R-NC)
• Representative Robert Dold (R-IL)
• Representative Tim Griffin (R-AR)
• Representative Nan Hayworth (R-NY)
• Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA)
• Representative Jim Cooper (D-TN)
• Representative Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
• Representative Michael Michaud (D-ME)

No Labels is a group of Republicans, Democrats and Independents who want our government to work again. Our dozen proposals to make Congress work mostly don't require new laws or new spending, and don't favor any party or particular cause. These are simple, straightforward proposals to break gridlock, promote constructive discussion and reduce polarization in Congress. They can mostly be adopted all at once when the next Congress convenes in January 2013.

For more information on the New York Times advertisement or to arrange an interview with a No Labels co-founder, please contact Sarah Feldman at [email protected] or (202) 588-1990. To learn more about No Labels, please visit www.NoLabels.org.

Contact: Sarah Feldman at 202-588-1990 or [email protected]

SOURCE No Labels